Jerusalem – Music Mogul Russell Simmons Urges Peace In Israel

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    Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons, second left, looks on as US Rabbi Marc Schneier president and founder of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU), second right, and the Western Wall rabbi, Shmuel Rabinovich, right, touch stones of the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalem's Old City, Thursday, June 21, 2012. The cofounder of the pioneering Def Jam Recordings record label, which has represented such artists like the Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, LL Cool J and Kanye West, is in Israel on the invitation of Israeli President Shimon Peres.(AP Photo/Blake Sobczak)Jerusalem – To hip hop and fashion mogul Russell Simmons, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is like “a rap beef” that can be resolved through dialogue and understanding.

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    “A little trust, and it’s over,” he said.

    The cofounder of the pioneering Def Jam Recordings record label, which has represented such artists like the Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, LL Cool J and Kanye West, is in Israel on the invitation of Israeli President Shimon Peres.

    When he isn’t managing his clothing line Phat Farm or promoting artists, Simmons champions an eclectic mix of causes, from veganism to gay rights to yoga.

    In Israel, he’s focusing on interfaith trust. He said creating dialogue should be as simple as a mediating a rap battle, were it not for the political deadlock between Palestinians and Israelis.

    Muslims and Jews “have the same aspirations and goals that are much greater than the things they call differences,” Simmons said.

    Simmons is one of the wealthiest figures in hip hop, with a net worth reportedly totaling at least $340 million.

    He was one of the first players in the burgeoning hip hop scene in the 1980s. His younger brother is Rev. Joseph Simmons (“Run” of Run-DMC).

    Simmons arrived in Israel on behalf of a foundation that aims to promote face-to-face dialogue between ethnic and religious communities. He discussed yoga with the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Muhammad Ahmed Hussein, and received a blessing from the rabbi of the Western Wall, Shmuel Rabinowitz.

    Simmons even did a headstand in front of the Dome of the Rock, one of the holiest sites to Muslims, though he said it was “for the kids” and not for any yogic spiritual reason.


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    8 Comments
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    sasregener
    sasregener
    11 years ago

    mazal tov! another expert!

    11 years ago

    Oy, oich meer ah pundit.

    Azah a chuchem oif yiddishkeit vi shredready. Ober ehr ken redden Einglish.

    Mark Levin
    Mark Levin
    11 years ago

    Another former, pot smoking, long haired, maggot infested FM type lib who thinks they are the smartest in the world.

    sissel613
    sissel613
    11 years ago

    Oy–oichet Mir a maven. It amazes me how the world eats this up. Feh!

    vitriol
    vitriol
    11 years ago

    You know, Israel can actually benefit from a guy like Russel Simmons. I mean he looks totally righteous, so how the heck is he involved in hip-hop with all those, shall we say less than stellar fellows? Hashem has his ways. You go guy!

    SherryTheNoahide
    SherryTheNoahide
    11 years ago

    Wow! Why all the hatred towards a pretty decent, now righteous-living gentile? Perhaps in his old days (literally, over 20 years ago by now), he was thick into the hip-hop industry & wasn’t living right. But the times have changed Russell Simmons, as anyone who’s paid 1\2 attention to pop culture would know. (Which clearly, Mark Levin hasn’t.)

    Seriously… why so much hatred & vitriol, towards someone who most of you here on VIN don’t know much about?! (lol)

    I can guarantee you this: Russell Simmons lives more of a righteous life than just about anyone in his industry, not to mention his culture! He’s a vegetarian, because he doesn’t believe in taking life, he meditates & prays on a daily basis, he devotes a LOT of his time to charity & philanthropic work, and is continuously on the side of positivity, even at times, when it’s not always easy to stay positive. Can most of us on here say the same?!?!

    Some of the comments on here not only show a profound ignorance of just about ANYONE who’s not a part of the Jewish community, but also some blatant discrimination as well. (And again, I reference Mark Levin, poster #4 , who couldn’t have BEEN more wrong in his assessment.)